Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Wylie Nation
Ancestor's date of birth: 26/07/1877
Ancestor's date of death: 24/05/1937
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Wylie attended Parkside Primary School and Way College (since closed) in Adelaide. Education normally stopped at the end of primary school and it was common to enter a trade as an apprentice. Wylie became a butcher
Service Number: 151
Colony or State of enlistment: SA, Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Unit: 4th South Australian Imperial Bushmen
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): Detail not available
Murray Page: 361
Contingent: Fourth South Australian
Ship: Manhattan, Date of Sailing: 01/05/1900
Memorial details: Buried in West Terrace Cemetery near Adelaide
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901, Kings Jubilee Medal 1935, believe to have had British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Personal Characteristics: Strong and dedicated
Reasons to go and fight: Sense of adventure and a desire to serve the Queen
Details of service in war: June 1900 - June 1901 in Cape Colony including charge at Bakenkop (3 July 1900) and skirmish at Stinkhoutboom where three killed (24 July 1900), and in northern Transvaal including battle of Rhenoster Kop (29 November 1900), great De Wet hunt, and advance on Pietersburg and into east Transvaal.
Service and life after the Boer War: He joined the police force on return from the war. Physical fitness is essential for police officers and Wylie Nation took his responsibilities seriously. He was a prominent member of the Torrens Rowing Club and from 1905 to 1912 was a member of the South Australian State crew. He was also renown as a billiards player. During the First World War Detective Nation was sent overseas with the Australian Army on special investigations. When he left Egypt for Scotland Yard, he received a special commendation from the chief officer of the Egyptian police for his thorough work. In February, 1929, Wylie Nation was promoted to Inspector, First Class and placed in charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch of the South Australian Police. He was a member of the Loyal Rose of Sharon Lodge, Grand United Order of Odd fellows which met at Parkside. He was also active in the South African War Veterans' Association and the Returned Soldiers League (as it was then known). By 1935, he had been appointed Acting Metropolitan superintendent of police. The rank was confirmed in 1936. His devoted public service was recognised by the award of the Silver jubilee medal in 1935. During his long career with the South Australian police, Wylie Nation earned eight honourable mentions by the Commissioner of police
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Alan Herbst, Modbury SA
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Nephew
